Simple DIY Keyboard Backlighting

Typing in the dark, whether the text or correspondence on the Internet, all the time it turns out not to understand what. I do not have a blind seal. So I'm constantly looking for a way to illuminate the keyboard. My previous designs ruffled time and helped him a little child.
The design will have a height adjustment. It is not necessary to do particularly high.
Everything is done from the available non-rare parts.For the manufacture we need:

- axis from the printer;

- halogen lamp;

- a segment of LED strip;

- two-wire;

- pin;

- single-core copper wire;

- plywood or chipboard;

- epoxy adhesive;

- drill, soldering iron, screws.

Making the backlight for a computer keyboard

To begin with, the axis of the printer must be released from the rollers. They sit very tightly, but if you help with a hammer, they are removed quickly. In extreme cases, you can cut down. The main thing is not to damage the coating of the axle, it will quickly become rusty.

On a copper single-core wire, I have a 2.5 square mm mounting wire, we make a ring under a screw of 4 mm. Putting aside at this stage.

The power cord I took a meter and a half.A large section of wire is not needed, the current is small. I have a double wire with a core diameter of about 0.25 square mm. Apply what is, it is possible and thinner. The backlight is powered by 12 volts, taken from a computer power supply. The wire simply turns into any hole in the system unit and connects to the black and yellow wires. It can also be powered from an external power supply unit at 12 volts and with a current for a lamp or LED strip.

The reflector of this design is very convenient. Take a burnt, you can, and a new, halogen lamp and gently knock glass. Be careful, the glass may bounce in the eye, follow the safety precautions.

From single-core wire cut off a piece of 40-60 mm. At the end do the bend and insert into the reflector. We also insert the power cord there. All this is filled with epoxy glue. Frozen, the wires sit firmly and do not fall out.

For aesthetics we make twisted wire. I will have it curled on the backlight. During the manufacture of the structure, another axis was taken from the printer, which had diameter transitions. Cutting them, the axis is subjected to rusting. Therefore, I took another axis.
For the manufacture of twisted wires, you need to wire tightly wound on the axis and warm up.I did it with an industrial hairdryer, you can warm it over a gas stove. Putting off to cool the wire.

Piece of LED tape paste in the reflector. Protect the wires and solder. Double-sided tape turned out to be bad, taped with super glue. Keeps on great.

I make the basis of a design from different scraps of a chipboard. It is possible from anything: plywood, OSB, etc. I do a round form. Cut a crown on plywood and drywall.
The middle ring in the form of a donut, there will be installed a switch and part of the wires.

Processed billet base and twisted together. At the end of the middle blank, a donut, made a slot for the switch.

I made a hole in the upper circle, the power wire will be inserted there later. Between the lower and middle circle drilled a hole under the wire. Drilled at an angle.

Reflected on the painting. I decided to paint a black matte color.

I attach the power switch to epoxy glue. A lot of it is not needed, if the glue is good, then it keeps a small amount.

While the glue hardens, proceed to the assembly of the reflector. In the clothespin I drill a through hole. Screw 4 mm all twisted into one, not forgetting about the Grover.

We pass the wire through the hole, after winding the wire on the axis. We clean the insulation of the wire and cut one wire. The resulting wire break is soldered to the switch. Isolate.

Twist the base into a single structure.

We test by connecting temporarily to a 12 volt battery.
It turned out great. Height adjustable for full keyboard illumination.

We got such a great backlight for the keyboard. Light is more than enough. In general, I advise you not to throw out such reflectors, which are very useful after a burnout.